Variety of Calibrachoa plant named ‘Wescadobl’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Calibrachoa  plant named ‘Wescadobl’ that exhibits double-flowers and a vigorous and trailing growth habit.

Botanical classification: Calibrachoa.

Varietal denomination: ‘Wescadobl’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises anew and distinct cultivar ofCalibrachoa known by the varietal name ‘Wescadobl’. The new variety wasdiscovered in Südlohn, Germany in August of 2007. The new variety hasbeen vegetatively asexually reproduced via cuttings, and the first dateof asexual reproduction was in 2007/2008 in Südlohn, Germany. The newvariety is the result of a planned breeding program cross betweenunpatented Calibrachoa plant MiniFamous Double Pink (female parent) andunpatented Calibrachoa plant Seedling 06P942 (male parent). The purposeof the breeding program was to develop a double-flowering Calibrachoavariety. The new variety exhibits a similar flower shape with its femaleparent and a similar flower color with its male parent, but exhibitsbetter branching than both parents. ‘Wescadobl’ exhibits a similarfoliage color, flower bud size, and its double-flowering characteristicwith Calibrachoa plant ‘MiniFamous Double Blue’, (unpatented), but thenew variety has smaller flowers, less filled and unveined flowers, andsmaller leaves (3.2×0.9 cm vs. 3.9×1.0 cm) when compared to ‘MiniFamousDouble Blue’. Further, the new variety differs from ‘MiniFamous DoubleBlue’ because it has 5-8 petals inside the calyx, while ‘MiniFamousDouble Blue’ has 10-12 petals inside the calyx. The new variety has beentrial and field tested and has been found to retain its distinctivecharacteristics and remain true to type through successive propagations.The following characteristics also distinguish ‘Wescadobl’ from otherCalibrachoa varieties known to the breeder:

-   -   1. Vigorous and trailing growth habit;    -   2. Double-flowering blue flowers;    -   3. Elliptic-shaped and medium-sized leaves;    -   4. Medium-sized flowers without veins; and    -   5. Contrasting foliage and flower colors.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the new variety, withthe color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrationsof this type:

FIG. 1 is a view of an entire plant of the new variety; and

FIG. 2 is close-up photograph of a flower of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of 25week old ‘Wescadobl’ plants grown inside a greenhouse in 12 cm pots andbaskets in Südlohn, Germany. The average day temperature was 20-25° C.and the average night temperature was 16-18° C. The color readings weretaken indoors under natural light. Color references are primarily to The2001 R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London.

PLANT

-   Time to initiate roots: 10-14 days at about 20° C.-   Time to develop roots: 21 days at about 20° C.-   Rooting habit: Fine, fibrous, and well-branched.-   Root color: 158A.-   Form: Long and vigorously hanging with a nearly spherical shape.-   Branching habit: Good; at the base and nearly every node.-   Height (from soil to top of flowers):    -   -   Pot grown plants.—15 cm.        -   Basket grown plants.—32 cm.-   Plant diameter: 47-72 cm.-   Vigor: Very strong.-   Lateral branches:    -   -   Form.—Long and weeping.        -   Color.—144B.        -   Texture.—Dull, dense pubescence.        -   Diameter.—About 1.2 mm.        -   Internode length.—About 1.1-2.2 cm.        -   Quantity.—At every node.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate and single.        -   Number of leaves per branch.—Plentiful; approximately 70-100            leaves per branch.        -   Size of leaf.—Length: About 3.2 cm. Width: About 0.9 cm.        -   Shape of leaf.—Elliptic.        -   Shape of apex.—Obtuse.        -   Shape of base.—Attenuate.        -   Texture (upper and lower leaf surfaces).—Dull.        -   Aspect.—Flat.        -   Margin description.—Entire.        -   Color.—Young leaves: Upper surface: 146A. Lower surface:            146B. Mature leaves: Upper surface: 147B. Lower surface:            147B.        -   Petiole.—Not applicable, leaves taper to the petiole.        -   Veins.—Color: Upper surface: 147C. Lower surface: 147C.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: From April to the end of autumn in    Germany.-   Flower type and habit: Single flowers near the top of branches.-   Number of flowers per plant: Numerous; approximately 30-50 flowers    per plant and 3 opened flowers per branch when grown in a 12 cm pot.-   Flower description: Five petals are fused and form a usual    Calibrachoa corolla. In the center of the corolla (the throat), the    stamens are transformed into petals. The new variety has 5-8 petals    in the center that are irregular in size and form a filled double    flower.-   Corolla:    -   -   Diameter.—About 2.7 cm.        -   Flower tube length.—About 1.7 cm.        -   Flower tube diameter at distal end.—About 0.75 cm.        -   Flower tube diameter at proximal end.—About 3.0 mm.        -   Petal length from throat.—Corolla petals: About 1.0 cm.            Inner petals: About 0.5 cm.        -   Petal width.—Corolla petals: About 1.4 cm. Inner petals:            About 1.1 cm.        -   Petal quantity.—Corolla petals: Five petals fused. Inner            petals: Filled with 5-8 petals of differing sizes.        -   Petal apex shape.—Corolla petals: Emarginate. Inner petals:            Obtuse.        -   Texture (upper and lower surfaces).—Smooth.        -   Color.—When opening: Upper surface: N82A. Lower surface:            N82B. Fully opened: Upper surface: N82A. Lower surface:            N87C. Flower throat (inside): 11A. Flower throat, vein:            166A. Flower tube (outside): 160B. Flower tube, vein: 166A.            Petal color, fading to: N87A to N87C.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—About 1.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 1.0 mm.        -   Color.—144A.        -   Orientation.—Acutely angled, holding all flowers outwards in            optimum positions.        -   Strength.—Flexible.-   Bud:    -   -   Shape.—Oblong.        -   Length.—About 1.7 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 0.4 cm.        -   Color.—Base: 154D. Middle: 144C. Tip: N82B.-   Calyx:    -   -   Description.—Salverform, filled calyx with double-flowering.        -   Length.—About 2.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 2.7 cm.        -   Sepal shape.—Five lanceolate-shaped (3 long, 2 short) sepals            fused at the base.        -   Sepal margin.—Entire.        -   Sepal texture (upper and lower surfaces).—Dull, pubescence            present.        -   Sepal color.—Upper surface: 147B. Lower surface: 147B.-   Disease resistance: None observed to date.-   Fragrance: None.-   Weather tolerance: Good.-   Lasting quality: Long lasting; 8-14 days, depending on environmental    conditions.-   Seed production: None observed to date.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens: Absent because stamens transformed to petals.-   Pistils:    -   -   Number.—One to three.        -   Length.—About 8.7 mm.        -   Styles.—Length: About 5.0 to 6.0 mm. Color: 144C.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Ovate. Color: 144A. Ovary color: 144C.

1. A new and distinct variety of Calibrachoa plant named ‘Wescadobl’substantially as shown and described herein.